For Those in Peril on the Straits

Bali – Java Straits Increasing Hazardous for Ferry Service

In the course of only 4-days between May 15-19, 2018, 3 separate major shipping incidents occurred on the inter-island ferry services operating between East Java and the Island of Bali.

On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, the SMS Swarkarya, a passenger ferry went adrift and ran aground for some 26 hours near the port of Gilimanuk in West Bali. On Thursday, Nay 16, 2018, the KMP Labitra Adida caught fire and burnet while traveling between the two islands.

No casualties were recorded in either incident.

The third accident in only four days saw the motorized ferry KMP Agung Samudra IX sailing from the East Java Port of Ketapang run aground only 30-meters from the shore of Gilimanuk on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The ship remained grounded for two hours until a rising tide and towlines moved it back into deeper water.

NusaBali reports that the KMP Agung Samudra IX carrying 24 passengers and crew, 10 trucks and 3 motorcycles was preparing to berth at Gilamanuk when it ran aground at 10:45 pm in strong winds and heavy currant.

All passengers and crew remained on board waiting for the rising ride to lift the shift off the shore, which occurred at 1:40 minutes later at about 00:25 am when the ship could once again be navigated to a pier at Gilimanuk.

After disembarking cargo and passengers the set sail back to East Java without passengers and cargo to undergo a safety survey before being allowed to resume scheduled service.